Saturday, June 22 to Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (Lake Cowichan, BC)

With big hugs, we said goodbye to Rob, Angie and the boys on Saturday (June 22) and hit the road just before 10:00.  Thanks so much for all your hospitality...loved spending time with Conner and Bryce! Take care of that arm, Bryce! Looking forward to seeing you all at the end of July for our family fishing/camping trip!

Instead of going straight to Lake Cowichan, we stopped in Mill Bay for a visit with old family friends, Doreen and Gerry. We chatted over coffee for a good hour and then were on our way. Wonderful catching up with you both 💕. 

We arrived at Ray and Deb's at 1:00...after big hugs, we brought our suitcases into the house. Deb had lunch ready...she has a big dinner planned so said she'd put together a few snacky things...HA! I don't think Barbecued Pork Souvlaki with homemade Pita bread and Tzatziki is exactly a few snacky things! But it was delicious and very much appreciated!

It was windy out on the back deck...and smoky because Deb had a turkey on the Traegar...so we sat outside in their newly created front patio. So much more room out there now that they no longer have a huge motorhome in the driveway!

When it was time for Deb to take the smoked turkey off the Traeger and let it "rest"...

Ray made us Margaritas...YUM!

And we sat out under the gazebo on the back deck...my favourite spot! The 2 heaters are on as well as the fire table...perfect as it was a little chilly!

Deb invited their next door neighbours, Roy and June, to join us... (Deb’s photo)

A delicious dinner...including cheesecake for dessert! Although we had met Roy and June previously, it was really nice to spend more time with them...lovely folks!

Sunday (June 23) morning after our coffee, Ray, Steve and I hit the hot tub. Unfortunately Deb could not join us as she had a broken blister on her big toe...Ahhh! (Deb’s photo)

Today we are going out on a little tour of the Maple Bay and area. The forecast was for rain at the lake, but mainly sun "over there"...so it was a good day to re-visit the area and a couple of pubs. Our first stop was at the Lion Rampart Scottish Pub...

Beautiful view of Maple Bay...

We sat out on the deck and enjoyed a brew. The wind would occasionally come up making it a little chilly but for the most part it was lovely out there... 

We explored the area beyond the pub until the road ended... (Ray's photo)

Our next stop was further down into the bay at Maple Bay Marina...where we wandered around checking out the sights...(Ray's photo)

And then went into the Shipyard Restaurant and Pub for lunch...

Again, we sat out on their patio where it had a glass enclosure to keep most of the wind away...

Next up was a short drive further south to Genoa Bay. Freighters often anchor in the bay as they wait to be loaded/off-loaded at the various ports around the Vancouver area...

Genoa Bay Marina...

Can you see the Blue Heron sculpture made from metal pipe and a rock on top of the large rock?

How about now?

The tide was out so the ramp to the dock was very steep. That didn't stop Steve and Ray from going down though. Maybe not the best activity for your new knee Ray! 😉

Checking out the Orca...

It was a great tour around the area...but Ray's back and leg had had enough. Time to go home! And time for more margaritas and sitting on the deck!

A little more sunshine Monday (June 24) morning...and gorgeous views!

Deb and I went to the local grocery store and picked up a few things. While we were gone, Steve and Ray took their drones to a nearby ball field. Ray's first outdoor drone flight with his new drone...

Steve took a 1:28 minute 360 degree view video from 300'...

Lake Cowichan is about 30 kms/18.6 miles in length...The red square indicates the area where Ray and Deb live....

The rest of the morning for Deb and I was basically spent in the kitchen getting beef bourguignon ready for the instant pot. Deb is making it for dinner tonight and taking it next door to Roy and June's where we are going to watch the final Stanley Cup Playoff game.

While we were doing that, Steve and Ray enjoyed the sunshine out in the back yard. We managed to join them while the chicken wings Deb had marinating were cooking in the oven...did I say we always eat very well while visiting the Kyles?

A pub lunch today...chicken wings with carrot and celery sticks...

At 4:45, we all headed next door to watch the game in Roy and June's theatre room. Wow...how awesome is that? Thanks so much for inviting us Roy and June!

After the first period, we all went upstairs to the dining room for dinner... (Deb's photo)

It was a great game, but unfortunately the Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the Florida Panthers 2-1, so the Stanley Cup went to the Panthers. Hopefully next year, it will go to a Canadian team!

It was a beautiful start to the day Tuesday (June 25)...

Panoramic view from the loft outside our bedroom...

Figures the nicest day since we got here is the day we have to leave!

Deb made blueberry pancakes for breakfast...delicious! Thanks Deb! A nice surprise as I figured we'd just grab a piece of toast. 

We were all packed up and ready to go by 9:30...after big hugs, we were off. Thank you so very much for all of your hospitality, Deb and Ray! We always have a blast when we come for a visit! Hopefully we'll be able to get together again before we head south this winter.

An hour and a half later we were pulling into Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. Our good friends, Rob and Nancy are camping there and since we didn't see them when we were in North Saanich, we thought we'd stop by for a quick visit on our way home. Steve and Rob have been buddies since grade 8...

We spent an hour catching up with them and then headed off. As usual, great seeing you both...enjoy the rest of your camping trip!

We stopped for lunch in Qualicum Beach and were home just after 3:00. We got the car unloaded and suitcases emptied...and then relaxed for the rest of the afternoon/evening. As usual, good to get away...but always great to get home!